CHAPTER 5: TRUST FALL
998 Words
CHAPTER 5: TRUST FALL
Eden's BMW darted through the traffic, the engine roaring as she accelerated well past the
speed limit. Her hands clenched the steering wheel, each second feeling like an eternity.
"Ease up," Marcus commanded from the passenger seat.
"You're going to get us killed before we even reach her."
"We don't have time for caution!" Eden slammed on the accelerator through a yellow light.
"Maya isn't picking up my calls."
Suddenly, Marcus's hand shot out, seizing the wheel as a truck blared its horn at them. "Pull
over. Now."
"Not a chance—"
"Pull over," he said, his voice firm, "or I will make you."
Something in his tone compelled Eden to ease the car to the curb. As soon as they stopped,
Marcus was out and rushing to her side.
"Switch seats.”
"I'm in control now," he said firmly. "I'm driving."
"We're wasting precious time!"
"Ten seconds to switch seats, or I’ll move you myself." His gaze locked with hers. "Your call."
Eden cursed under her breath but slid over to the passenger seat. Marcus took the wheel,
and they were off again—fast, but with a steady grip.
"My team's two minutes away," he said, expertly maneuvering through traffic. "If there are
threats, we wait for backup."
"Not a chance—"
"Not a chance you'll put your life on the line without a plan," he interrupted. "Your sister
needs you safe."
They reached Maya's building in record time, despite Marcus's "steady" driving. Two black
SUVs were already parked outside—his security team.
"Building's secure," a voice relayed through Marcus's earpiece. "Power's out on three floors.
No signs of forced entry."
Eden was out of the car before it fully stopped, sprinting toward the entrance. Marcus caught
up in two strides, his hand gripping her elbow.
"Stay behind me," he commanded, drawing his weapon.
They ascended the stairs to Maya's floor, the emergency lights casting an unsettling red hue.
Eden's heart raced with each step.
"Maya!" she shouted as they reached her sister's door.
"Eden?" Maya's voice echoed from inside, accompanied by the distinct sound of locks
engaging.
The door creaked open to reveal Maya, flashlight in hand, appearing confused yet
unharmed.
"What’s happening? The power just went out, and my phone's acting strange—"
Eden enveloped her sister in a tight embrace, relief flooding through her, nearly buckling her
knees.
Marcus stepped inside the apartment, his team fanning out to sweep each room. Eden
observed as he examined the windows, vents, and light fixtures.
"Found something," one of his men called from the hallway. Marcus moved to investigate, his
face clouding with concern.
"What is it?" Eden asked, still gripping Maya's arm.
Marcus returned with something small and black in his hand. "High-end surveillance gear.
Hidden in the hallway light fixture." He displayed what appeared to be a tiny camera. "This is
no amateur setup.”
Maya stepped back from Eden, her artist's gaze scanning the scene – the armed security
team, Marcus's stern demeanor, and the fear etched on her sister's face.
"Alright, enough," Maya said, crossing her arms. "What’s really happening? And don’t give
me the ‘it’s nothing’ line. You don’t bring a tactical team for a simple power outage."
Eden exchanged a glance with Marcus. This was the moment she had been dreading – the
decision between shielding Maya with ignorance or revealing the truth.
"Someone's trying to hurt me," Eden finally admitted. "And they might target you to get to
me."
"Is it because of the company?"
"It’s because of something within it." Eden took a steadying breath. "Maya, there are things
about Oracle that no one knows. Things that make it both valuable and dangerous.”
"Ms. Chase," Marcus cautioned. "Consider carefully what you decide to reveal."
"She has to know," Eden countered. "It’s crucial she understands the potential danger to her
life."
Maya glanced back and forth between them. "How serious is it? Really?"
Before Eden could respond, Maya's phone buzzed with a new notification. She opened it
and her face drained of color.
"I... think this is meant for you," she said, turning the screen toward Eden and Marcus.
The message was brief but chilling: "Your sister's protection has an expiration date."
Beneath it, a timer was counting down from 72 hours.
"Three days," Marcus said softly. "They’re giving us a deadline."
"For what?" Maya asked.
"For me to either comply with their demands," Eden's voice trembled, "or stand by and watch
them take away the only family I have left."
Marcus pulled out his phone, already issuing commands to his team. "We're relocating you
both to a secure place. No arguments."
For once, Eden didn’t protest. She observed as Maya hurriedly packed a bag, the gravity of
their situation finally sinking in.
Someone was using her sister as a pawn. Manipulating her love as a weapon against her.
And they had enough knowledge about Oracle to know exactly how to play this game.
Eden’s phone vibrated with a new message: "Tick tock, Eden. Oracle is watching, but can it
save them both? Time to choose.”
She glanced at Marcus as he read the message over her shoulder.
"We'll find a way through this," he murmured, ensuring Maya wouldn't overhear. "But right
now, we need to get you both to safety."
"Nowhere is truly safe," Eden replied softly. "They’re using Oracle’s own algorithms against
us. They anticipate our every move."
"Then we’ll do something Oracle can’t foresee." His hand briefly rested on her shoulder.
"Trust me."
As they guided Maya toward the waiting cars, Eden came to a realization: she did trust him.
Somewhere between his frustrating protocols and this moment, Marcus had transformed
from an unwanted guardian into her sole hope for keeping Maya alive.
The countdown on Maya's phone continued to tick away, each second drawing them nearer
to a choice Eden dreaded she might not be able to confront.
Seventy-one hours, fifty-nine minutes, and counting.
- Writer
